Combination step and straight ladder



' Sept. 15, 1942.

- I COMBINATION STEP AND STRAIGHT LADDER Filed Sept. 24, 1941 T. BROWN 2,295,930 7 Patented Sept. 15, 1942 COMBINATION STEP AND STRAIGHT LADDER Tobe Brown, Marion, N. 0.

Application September 24, 1941, Serial No. 412,188

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a combination step and straight ladder, and it consists in the constructions, arrangements and combinations herein described and claimed.

It; is a particular object of the invention to provide a ladder of the character stated in which the stile members thereof are formed of relatively light weight reinforced by angle bars along the longitudinal edges aiiording great rigidity and strength to the ladder, yet not increasing the weight of the ladder materially.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel hinge connection between the ladder sections insuring strength whether the ladder be used as a straight ladder or a step ladder.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel step mounting for the ladder.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will be apparent from the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the ladder as used as a straight ladder, the step ladder position being shown in dot and dash lines,

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the hinged mounting of the upper section of the ladder,

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail partly in section, illustrating the step or rung mounting.

Figure 5 is a cross section on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

There is illustrated a ladder l0, consisting of a base section II and a top section l2, arranged in end to end relation, and hinged together as at As may be seen in Figure 2, the top section I2 is of a width to fit snugly, yet swingably between the upper ends of the lower section II, as will be described in greater detail.

The lower section I l consists of a pair of stiles I4 having suitably spaced steps l5 and a fiat stop rail I6 at the upper end thereof. The stiles are preferably mitered as at H to accommodate the steps.

The upper section 12 f the ladder also consists of a pair of stiles I8 connected by suitably spaced steps 19, the stiles being spaced apart so as to fit snugly between the stiles M of the lower section.

A hinge 20' is provided, one for each of the cooperating stiles, and since the stiles I l and 18 are not in alignment, the leaves 2| and 22 are offset so that a'leaf of the hinge is aligned with respective stiles l4 and I8 for securement thereto.

The lower ends of the stiles 18 of the upper section are mitered at an angle so as to snugly abut upon the uppermost step of the lower section, and in order that this may be accomplished, the pintles of the hinges 20 must be positioned at approximately the top face of the upper step.

Each of the stiles of the lower and upper sections is provided with an angle bar 23, one flange of which extends along the outer longitudinal edge, and the other being extended at right angles to lie flush against the rear vertical edge of the stile, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

At the points of miter I! each stile l4 and I8 is provided with a pair of outwardly diverging apertures 24 adaptedto align with apertures 25 formed in respective steps. A dowel pin 26 is driven into each of the apertures as clearly shown in Figures 4 and5. This construction it will be noted, presents the dowel pins 26 at an angle to one another, as well as to the stiles and steps affording a very rigid connection eliminating loosening of the steps. Obviously, if desired, the dowel pins may be glued in the apertures. This construction further eliminates the need for screws or nails, thus avoiding the possibility of splitting the stiles or steps when assembling the parts.

In use as a straight ladder as shown in solid lines in Figure 1, the upper section 12 is swung so as to lie in the same plane as the lower section II, and in such position the mitered portions 21 rest upon the top step l5 of the lower section I l. The stiles 18 will rest against the stop rail IS. The upper section I2 is thus firmly held against I any bending action at the hinge 20 and all sustaining stress or strain is absorbed.- at the stop rail l6 and the point of contact between the mitered portion 21 and the top step 15 of the lower section.

When it is desired to use the ladder as a step ladder, it is only necessary to allow the upper section l2 to swing downwardly until it assumes the position shown by dot and dash lines, in Figure 1. The stay hook 2B is then connected with the eye 29 of the upper section l2 when the ladder may be used as an ordinary step ladder.

/ While I have specifically shown and described a preferred construction this is by way of illustration only, and I consider as my own, all such modifications in structure as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A combined straight and step ladder comprising a base section consisting of a pair of spaced stile members, steps spaced therebetween and connected thereto, a stop rail connected between the upper ends of the stiles, a pair of hinges having offset leaves, a hinge being mounted on each stile member below the stop rail and presenting a leaf member on the inner side of the stile members; an upper section consisting of a pair of stile members, steps connecting the stile members, the stiles being spaced apart so as to be positioned between the stile members of the TOBE BROWN. 

